Former Tropical Depression Three strengthened to Tropical Storm Chantal on Sunday morning.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Chantal was located at latitude 30.9°N and longitude 79.0°W which put the center about 150 miles (240 km) south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina.  Chantal was moving toward the north at 2 m.p.h. (3 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1009 mb.

A Tropical Storm is in effect for the portion of the coast from South Santee River, South Carolina to Cape Fear, North Carolina.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Edisto Beach to South Santee River, South Carolina.

Former Tropical Depression Three strengthened to Tropical Storm Chantal on Sunday morning.  Even though it strengthened, the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Chantal was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern side of Chantal’s circulation.  Bands in the western part of Tropical Storm Chantal consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms east of the center of Chantal’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north and east of the tropical storm.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Chantal was also asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the eastern side of Chantal’s circulation.  The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Chantal were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Chantal will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Chantal will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over the southeastern U.S.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Chantal’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Chantal is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough over the Southeastern U.S. will steer Tropical Storm Chantal toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Chantal will move toward the coast of South Carolina.  Chantal is likely to make landfall on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Chantal will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to South Carolina and North Carolina.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.  Chantal will also bring high waves to the coast.  The waves could cause beach erosion.